IF CHRISTMAS IS AN OVERWHELMING TIME THAT LEAVES YOU EMOTIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY DRAINED, REMEMBER TO “SLOW DOWN” THE SEASON SO YOU CAN RECLAIM LOVE, JOY, AND TOGETHERNESS. A HOLIDAY SEASON FOCUSED ON GRATITUDE, MINDFULNESS, AND SLOWNESS IS ALL YOU NEED TO LIVE INTENTIONALLY AND RECHARGE THIS WINTER.
IIN AN ATTEMPT to create the perfect Christmas morning, we potentially miss an entire season of joy by replacing it with chaos, overspending, and stress. In a materialistic society focused on having bigger, newer, more expensive things, we trade in the real joys of Christmas for a competitive frenzy of buying things we don’t need. And I get it - it can be hard to go against the grain when the world around you is not bought into a simple, happy holiday season. So how do you change this when the world around you behaves like an energised Duracell bunny? I want to share my top tips for simplifying the holiday season and focusing on what is important.
If your calendar is usually filled with commitments you rarely enjoy doing, scratch them off the list. Instead, sit down with the family, agree on the traditions you all love, and prioritise them above all else. For whatever reason, the Christmas season comes with all of these obligations that we must conform to… but do we really have to?
Slowing down and being present with your family is much easier when you WANT to spend time in your home. I think it’s safe to say that Danes do this well and where that overused word “hygge” comes from…but it’s seriously a thing, and it works!
If you’re a type-A, go go go, personality like me, it can be hard to let go of that desire to check boxes off a list (yes, I have one) and just sit and be with your family. Creating a space that you love to be in is the solution.
My eldest (now 25) used to count how many presents he had under the tree compared to his brother. Safe to say he doesn’t do that anymore, but when he was younger, it would stress me out if I didn’t have an equal amount of presents for both boys. All we want to do at Christmas time is show the people we love that we love them, and in recent years, we’ve been leaning more and more toward spending money to achieve that goal.
The more you spend, the more you
love, right? Wrong. The amount of money spent on a gift does not represent your relationship with that person. I believe the ideal gift shows that you’ve been thinking of them. It has nothing to do with money and everything to do with love.
To bring you joy, your decorations don’t have to be over the top. Go through your boxes and pick out the things that make you smile when you think of them. Donate the rest. You will save time by picking one space in your house to decorate with only items you love. A simple, joyfully decorated home will bring you more happiness than last year’s discounted decor ever will.
Most of the year, I’m content with what I’ve got, something I believe Danish culture does well and embraces the simplicity of having “stuff”. But during Christmas (or what I like to call the silly season), there is this pressure and wish to have more of everything. So to avoid panic-fueled shopping sprees, focus on everything you already have this holiday season.
My happiest and most meaningful memories come from simple moments spent with family. A walk in the park, a cuddle on the couch with my boys. Getting dressed in matching cringe-inducing Christmas pj’s - these are the positive memories. I couldn’t tell you what I got for
Christmas when I was 9, but I can remember the feelings of stress and short tempers that appeared when Christmas came around.
Make Christmas about happiness and joy, and togetherness. Don’t make it about the spending and the wrapping and the stress. If you feel like you aren’t doing enough, take a deep breath and focus on spending time with the people you love. In the end, that’s all we really want.
Intentionally building a life, you love to live can be hard work, especially if the people around you don’t share your mindset. This is especially difficult around Christmas when the world shifts into a busy, frivolous, overwhelming season.
If your heart is telling you it’s the right time for a simpler Christmas, listen to it. Simplify your calendar, home, and gifts - Christmas will bring you joy. And remember to give yourself a break when you fumble because changing how you’ve always done something is hard work! Especially when there is so much emotion and memories tied to it. You are on a journey that will bring you even more joy, so take it one step at a time and do what feels right.
From my family and the team at The International, we wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Love,
LYNDSAY JENSENEDITOR & FOUNDER THE-INTL.COMEDITOR & FOUNDER
Lyndsay Jensen - lyndsay@the-intl.com
MANAGING DIRECTOR & PARTNER
Kenneth Macalpine - kenneth@the-intl.com
CONSULTING EDITOR Conrad Egbert
GRAPHIC DESIGN
The International
WRITERS TEAM
Ophelia Wu; Vanessa C Petersen; Alexandra Beck; Mariano Davies; Skyler Bentley Hall; Monika Pedersen; Sara R. Newell; Aina Masood; Susan Jessen Spiele; Michaela Medvedova; Shani Bishop; Natasha Liviero; Heather Storgaard; Lasse Frimand Jensen; Jane Elgård Petersen; Antesa Jensen; Luke Hannon
Events Coordinator
Lyndsay Jensen - lyndsay@the-intl.com
COVER PICTURE Terumi Mascarenhas - www.fjordfoto.dk
SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM
Head of SoMe Shivangi Singh - shivangi@the-intl.com
SoMe Ambassadors
Neelam Gahlaut; Michaela Medvedova; Aina Masood; Ane-Sophie Custura; Terumi Mascarenhas; Leslie Noygues; Shelly Pandey; Shivangi Singh; Ritika Jain; Pavlos Tsiakoumis; Sakib Akhter; Rashmi Jadhav; Gemma La Rocca; Isabel Pereira Lima
SALES sales@the-intl.com
The International is published online 12 times a year. This issue was published on 14 December, 2022.
Notice: The publishers regret that they cannot accept any liability for error or omissions contained in this publication. The opinions and views presented need not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek special counsel before acting on any information contained herein. All rights reserved. No part of this publication or contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publishers. Published by and © 2021 The International ApS. Registered in Denmark / CVR Number: 39118181
THOMAS PETRI
THOMAS PETRI
COPENHAGEN
COPENHAGEN SALSA ACADEMY
Forget your winter blues, and come to sun-soaked Miami Beach for the NEXT CHAPTER of our riotous Eighties gangster romp.
The Calzone family is again in crisis! Don Calzone has retired from the family business, but his successor is an unexpected and unpopular choice.
All hell breaks loose when a drug lord known as The Cuban, a family advisor known as The Danishman, and a millionaire businessman based in Palm Beach called Donald Dump all fight to influence the new Don.
The result is murder and mayhem involving the family members: Mama Calzone, Al Fresco, Dolce Vita, Capuccino and the hostess of the Funky Flamingo Club - Lola Lotta Libido. Miami Vice is called in to deal with a case pumped with testosterone and riddled with bullets.
Vivienne McKee again creates a cocktail of classic Crazy Christmas with a triple shot of Coppola, Tarantino and Scorsese, shaken and not stirred, with a slice of pure British silliness. This year's show is a killer! You'll die laughing!! In fact … IT'S THE ONLY CRAZY WAY TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS!
FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://LONDONTOAST.DK/
Programme:
19:15 - Pre-party with æbleskiver - traditional Danish Christmas snacks and glögg. Let's dance to Christmas songs!
19:45 - 20:45 - Christmas Salsa Workshop with Dennis & Ieva. Open level - you should already know the basics of Salsa. Let's dance around the Christmas tree. No partner is needed - we will find one for you!
20:45 - Doors open to the party.
20:45 - 00:30 - Welcome our resident DJs, Chris and Dennis Bertolazza. Music: 70% Salsa, 30% Bachata.
22:30 - SHOW by CSA Choreo class student team + Dance animations for everyone - join in.
00:45 - 01:00 - Music ends, and goodnight.
ENTRANCE:
Party & workshop entrance, free gløgg and æbleskiver for the first comers: 215kr
Party entrance only: 70kr
Only indoor dancing shoes are allowed (no wet/dirty shoes). Bring extra t-shirts too!
Address: Kastanie Alle 20 (1. floor), 2720 Vanløse.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the dance floor!
FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/26AM2J4JH
It's time to make some homemade Christmas gifts! Odense's international maker space, The O'Town Garage, invites you to visit their workshop, try the cool tools and make your own Christmas gifts. Volunteers from the garage are ready to help you out. You just need to put on your creative hat and pay for the materials (50 DKK using Mobile Pay).
Meeting place: Havnegade 57, 5000 Odense C (10 minutes bike ride from the station).
You can choose between four different gift ideas, and you will be able to finish one gift (or more, depending on your skills). After the workshop, we invite you to hang out in the garage and chat with the volunteers and participants.
Please note: The O'Town Garage does not have insurance to cover participants, so any damage must be covered by the participants' personal insurance.
More information: Check theotowngarage.com or send an email to info@theotowngarage.com
About Chat in Danish: Chat in Danish Odense is a mixed group of Internationals and Danes meeting in an informal setting to speak Danish with each other. New participants are welcome, no matter their proficiency in Danish!
FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2AVRMS3R2
Join us on the 4th Advent as we celebrate Church Service and count down the days to Christmas!
We will serve hot cocoa, Danish gløgg, Christmas cookies, and Danish 'peppernuts'. Everyone is welcome regardless of denominational and non-denominational backgrounds. Find us at Eliaskirken Vesterbrogade 49, 1620 Copenhagen.
FB & Insta: folkekirkenforinternationals TikTok: @ffinternationals
FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://KOBENHAVNSSTIFT.DK/ FOLKEKIRKEN-FOR-INTERNATIONALS
It's Christmas Eve, and Cirkeline sits in her matchbox and looks at the stars. This is how the Christmas adventure begins with Cirkeline and her mouse friends, Frederik and Ingolf, who throw themselves into Christmas preparations. But first, gifts must be wrapped, hearts intertwined, and there must also be room for singing and play. Later, the three friends go out into the forest to collect the Christmas tree. It is cold, and the snow is falling. In the forest, we meet the mischievous cat, the funny forest elves, and last but not least, the snow mouse Knud with the red snout. And then it's finally Christmas Eve.
The style of this performance is, as we know it from the cartoons, full of exuberant humour and accompanied by Hans-Henrik Ley's lovely and catchy music.
FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/642EAAKYI
The Aalborg Christmas market at Gammeltorv is open from Friday the 18th of November to Friday the 23rd of December.
The market smells like Christmas and has everything your Christmas heart desires! From Christmas burgers, roasted almonds and warm chocolate to many other wonderful Christmas foods and drinks.
Christmas trees, sweaters, art etc., can also be purchased at the market. You will find everything in the small cosy Christmas booths on Gammeltorv. You can also ride the giant Ferris wheel, looking out over the entire Christmas market and a large part of the city, and try out the cosy children's carousel. All the streets in the city have the most beautiful Christmas lights, and the Christmas train drives around the city during the shops' opening hoursyou can jump on the train at Gammeltorv.
Monday to Thursday from 12:00-17:30 Friday from 12:00-19:00 Saturday from 10:00-16:00 Sunday from 10:00-16:00
From Saturday the 17th to Friday the 23rd of December, it is open every day from 10:00-19:00.
Would you like to join a traditional Danish Christmas Dinner?
On Christmas Eve, our volunteer Simon will host a Christmas Dinner for internationals in Odense, and you are invited! Traditional Danish Christmas food will be served, and we ask you to bring drinks.
How do I sign up? You sign up by emailing sdp@frivillighed.dk with the following information: Full name, email, and phone number.
Deadline for signing up: Wednesday, 21st of December 2022. Please note seats are limited.
Participation will cost around 100-200 DKK, and we will get back to you with payment information when we are closer to the 24th of December. Please also bring a wrapped gift (maximum value 30 DKK) for a gift-swapping game.
Time: 18:00
Address: Center for frivilligt socialt arbejde, Albanidage 54 E, Odense
We celebrate Christmas with your favourite carols and readings! Then, after the service, we wish each other a Merry Christmas with a glass of bubbly, Panettone, and traditional cheesecake!
Everyone is welcome regardless of denominational and non-denominational backgrounds.
Time: 13:00
Where: Eliaskirken Vesterbrogade 49, 1620 Copenhagen V.
FB & Insta: folkekirkenforinternationals TikTok: @ffinternationals
FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://KOBENHAVNSSTIFT.DK/ FOLKEKIRKEN-FOR-INTERNATIONALS
A value-driven community that welcomes students ages 4-16.
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• High academic standards
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Learn more at rygaards.com
OONCE YOU’VE MET a truly special person, no step will feel too big.
At least it didn’t when Deloris Anda Nielsen met her Danish husband in the United States and decided to follow him across the ocean - and started a new chapter in her life.
“Every time people ask me where I’m from, it’s a little bit tricky,” laughs Anda. She was born in the US to parents at the university there, fell in love, had a daughter, and moved to their homeland of Cameroon two years later.
Anda’s parents are originally from two tribes next to each other, speaking similar languages. “Most of my cousins from my dad’s side grew up speaking the traditional tribal language and the official languages of English and French, which I grew up speaking. But I don’t know how to speak my traditional language that much. I’ve been to the village once, and I felt so out of place because I couldn’t communicate, and my late grandma insisted on speaking to me in the language. So all I knew to say was hi and bye.”
Growing up in Cameroon, Anda did not really think about the small things that made up the culture. But a cultural clash she experienced later on in the US and in Denmark was interacting with elders. “Where I’m from, you can’t just walk up to someone 1020 years older than you and call them by their first name. That is considered very disrespectful. So sometimes when you try to call people ‘mister’, they’re like: Oh, don’t do that, that makes me feel old.”
When she moved to the US at 15 and started high school, the adjustment was a little challenging. She came with a bit of an accent and sometimes would mishear or misunderstand some of the things other kids said. “If they did something wrong, people in school kept saying: my bad, my bad. So when I would write letters to my friends back home, I’d write: It’s so funny here. When something happens, people say ‘my bed’,” laughs Anda. The way she acted towards the teachers also distinguished her slight-
ly from the other students. “In my culture, you don’t yell - you’re not rude or disrespectful. The way the kids talked to the teachers, it was insane. Of course, the teachers loved me - not because I was a teacher’s pet or anything, but the way I interacted with them was different.”
But she learned to adapt to the US quickly. Somewhat a necessity for someone who has spent most of their life living in different countries. “I don’t miss the country, I miss the people - my family out there, my friends.”
One thing that Anda really, really loves is travelling. To the degree where she, at one point, got a part-time job working at the airport as a gate agent alongside her fulltime job - because it came with travel benefits. “I worked there for four or five years, so I built enough seniority to trade shifts and accommodate my travels.”
This came in handy once the purpose of her travels changed. After she met her nowhusband, she travelled at every chance she got to meet with him. “He had a job where he had to travel to Spain, so I flew there to meet him. This was very early in the relationship, but this was when I realised: Holy crap, I’m in love with this man.” Needless to say, Spain has a special place in Anda’s heart.
At the time of meeting her husband, Anda was working all the time and had had the same group of friends forever. Meeting new people was hard - so she tried online dating. Not looking for anything long-distance, she set a 30-mile radius of her Minnesota address. And she ended up with someone from Denmark.
Andrés used to travel to the US for work and ran into Anda’s profile. “I’ve never met anyone from Denmark, so I thought it would be interesting. We messaged each other for a month, and when he came to Minnesota for work, we met for coffee.” What was supposed to be a 45-minute date turned into four hours. “And that was pretty much
it for me, to be honest.” They met in 2017, and Andrés proposed a year later. “Believe it or not, we saw each other every single month while we were dating.” In June 2019, a couple of months before Anda was supposed to move to Denmark, the couple came to Roskilde and married secretly. They later held their wedding in 2021.
People ask Anda all the time if married life is tough. “Obviously, adjustments need to be made when you live with somebody else. But when we met each other, we already knew what we wanted, because I was 35 and he was ten years older. My friends all got married in their 20s, and they made fun of me because they said I was in love with love. But for some reason, I never pictured the white dress and the wedding. I had never found anyone I wanted to spend my life with until I met him.”
Andrés had been married before, so Anda gained two wonderful bonus kids. They have a great relationship, and Anda gets on well with his ex-wife. Now they have dinners and celebrations together. “And when we go out with my bonus kids, people get confused because they think Andrés’s daughter is mine as she was adopted from Burkina Faso.”
The children were another reason the decision to move to Denmark was a no-brainer. At the time, they were much younger, and Anda’s ties to the US were not as strong as the children needing their father. “And my one regret from my undergrad is not doing study abroad,” she laughs.
Now, Roskilde is home. “Take the library, for example. They have a lot of activities for internationals and a great English section. This was my haven when I had just moved. We were working on getting me a CPR number. I couldn’t work or anything, so I would come here and check out books using my husband’s ID.”
The process of getting all her paperwork sorted out was pretty smooth. After she received her CPR number, Anda thought getting a job would be just as easy. “That was a humbling experience because I didn’t think I would have a hard time finding a job. But it was almost impossible. My background is in administration, so many times, these jobs pop up, and hundreds of people apply. One day I thought: You know what, I look pretty decent in pictures. I don’t need Danish to take pictures. So I applied to a modelling agency.”
Working for Basic CPH was her first modelling experience. She searched for curvy model agencies, applied, and got a positive response. “I haven’t had that much work
THE PROCESS OF GETTING ALL HER PAPERWORK SORTED OUT WAS PRETTY SMOOTH. AFTER SHE RECEIVED HER CPR NUMBER, ANDA THOUGHT GETTING A JOB WOULD BE JUST AS EASY. “THAT WAS A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I DIDN’T THINK I WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING A JOB. BUT IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE."
with them - I had three jobs. I ended up shooting three commercials with them. I have a lot of respect for actors; it’s a lot of work.” For one of the commercials, she got a lot of calls from people who recognised her - in the US, as that was one of the primary markets for the ad.
“But it’s not like I thought this would be my full-time job - so I considered it my side hustle.”
Meanwhile, she was still on the path to finding a full-time job. So she decided to go back to university and do another bachelor’s to improve her chances. “Luckily, Andrés was so supportive. He said: I don’t want you to get a job just to get a job. Focus on school, focus on the job you want. I got us.”
Anda’s always been interested in HR and had a little experience back when she ran the elections for a city. So she took the opportunity of free universities in Denmarka massive shock to someone who still had student debt from the US - and started attending Roskilde University. She started applying for student jobs and encountered the heartbreaking reality of coming close to being hired a few times, only for the company to decide to hire someone else. “Then I applied for a job in Penneo. I was called in for an interview - the best I’ve ever had. But a few days later, I got an email that said they decided to go with someone else. I was crushed. But I replied that I love their company and if something comes up later, they should keep her in mind.” A week or two later, the phone rang with an offer to interview for a position Anda would be a much better fit for. She got the job. The university plan worked.
“It’s a student assistant job, so I hope I do well and can eventually work there full-time. But I’m getting the experience I need in the field I want.” Anda enjoys getting to know the different aspects of HR immensely. While obviously people-centred, it’s not just about interacting with people. Right now, she is working on contracts. “The whole point is to ensure people are taken care of.”
She loves the company, her team, and the flexible nature of the job. “I can fix my hours based on my schedule. It offers great work-life balance.” While she doesn’t have extensive work experience in Denmark yet, she’s noticed the lack of working crazy hours. “I used to work crazy hours in the US, especially during elections. But that couldn’t really be helped. And I’ve been fortunate to have awesome bosses in the US, as well. I remember my car broke down, and I called my boss, saying my car won’t start. So he drove to my house to help me jumpstart it - not to go to work, but so I can go get it fixed.”
With all her experience, it is only natural that moving to Denmark felt like starting over. Going back to school definitely wasn’t in Anda’s life plan. The Danish project-based system is not something she was used to. “You have to work with people you may not normally work with. It’s kind of like practising for the real world, right? You must learn to work with people, even those you disagree with.”
But that doesn’t mean she did not find friends in the countryor, as she calls it, built her tribe. At university, Anda is a part of a student organisation called EduKitchen - dinner evenings that bring internationals together, where people cook different cuisines. “We’re going to make a Cameroonian dinner in a couple of weeks, and I will spearhead it. So I’m a little nervous about that.” She also made many friends in the language school that completed her network outside her Danish family. “I’ve been so lucky. My in-laws have been nothing but supportive. It has helped me not miss my family so much. When Andrés still had the job where he would travel a lot, if he was gone for a week or two, his sister would pop by to see how I was doing or pick me up so I could have dinner with them.” She’s also lucky that everyone speaks English - even though, after three years, they mostly communicate in Danish around her. “I understand a bit more, so it’s not like I’m just sitting there completely lost. My Danish is manageable, and my accent is not bad - at least, that’s what people say!”
Anda and Andrés have talked about Denmark being the final station...or not. “We’re happy here. We’ll probably move somewhere else at some point once I get a full-time job. But we’ve talked about maybe retiring in France or Spain.”
But for now, they’re just letting it ride out and living their best life. As long as they are together…
“That’s the caveat. I don’t want to do life without him, that’s for sure. But I’m a sucker for the happily-ever-afters. And I’m glad I found mine. As stubborn, as tough as he is… He’s perfect for me.” THE-INTL
WWE'VE ALL HEARD that statistic, right?
Recruiters look at a CV for only seven seconds. Hopefully, you read it in my last column! A poorly written CV is the biggest obstacle preventing people from finding their dream job. FACT. Luckily, a few simple tweaks can make a world of difference and help you stand out from the rest. Here goes…
The easier your CV is to read, the better. If a recruiter is only going to scan your CV for seven seconds, you shouldn't waste their time trying to decipher it. First, start with a good headline. This one-line sentence goes directly below your name, explaining who you are and what you're about. If you're applying for a job as a Marketing Specialist, put that (if you are, of course!). Next comes your contact details (so the manager can invite you to that interview, right!) and then immediately below, write your experience. Your current (or most recent) job ALWAYS comes first. Highlight your relevant experience in a simple bulleted list and drive home how YOU, with YOUR skills and experience, can be an excellent match for the company.
As far as I know, nobody has ever confused a hiring manager into hiring them. So keep it simple and clear, and the interview requests will roll in.
A customised CV could be the difference between getting an interview and not. Research shows that, on average, companies hire candidates that fulfil 79 percent of the job descriptions' requirements. So the more you tailor your CV to the job requirements, the better your chances. Does this mean you must write a new CV for every job you apply for? No - but you should write a "core" CV with your key skills and responsibilities. Then when you apply for a new job, be sure to read the job description and highlight all the key competencies that you have that are important for
the role. If there's one key takeaway, it's this. ALWAYS tailor your CV!
TIP #3
I always tell people "responsible for XYZ" means nothing if you suck at it! Focusing on your impact is the best way to stand out from the crowd. So, no, you weren't "responsible for a sales team". Instead, you "led a sales team of 10 that increased revenue by $1.5m''.
Impact gets you hired!
Go one step further and pack your CV with action verbs. Take a (metaphorical) red pen to your CV and delete phrases like "responsible for..", "tasked with…" and "experienced with…".
It's time to take charge!
Instead, you "drove", you "achieved'' and you "improved". The more impact you can show the hiring manager you've had, the better your chance of moving forward.
TIP #4 - USE JARGON STRATEGICALLY
Look, every industry has its own jargon.
There's no getting around this. Some jargon can help you by providing a common language between you and the hiring manager. But don't overdo it! It's OK to include well-known terms within the industry, but if you think you're going to impress a hiring manager by including jargon that they can't understand, think again.
Clarity is key when writing your CV, so avoid overdoing jargon at all costs!
TIP #5 - SIZE MATTERS
Spare a thought for the poor hiring manager's eyes!
Don't try to cram as much as you can into those two pages by using size six font. Research shows that the best font size for your CV is between 10 and 12 points This good balance helps you fit enough into your CV while making it easy to read. Remember - the easier to read, the better! That's it! My 5 tips to supercharge your CV. Applying these tips will hugely improve your chances of finding the job you've always wanted. So stay tuned for next month! THE-INTL
far as I know, nobody has ever
LUKE HANNON SENIOR TALENT ACQUISITION PARTNER
Luke is a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at SYBO Games, the company behind the smash-hit game Subway Surfers. Based in Copenhagen (by way of London)!, he has been working to make SYBO grow. He spends his time finding the best talent that the games community has to offer!
He is always keen to build relationships by bringing passion and enthusiasm to the recruitment process. An advocate of Employer Branding, Luke works with the talented people at SYBO to let the world know how great a place it is to work.
When he's not hiring awesome talents for SYBO or cycling (he does live in Copenhagen, after all!), he's busy reading his favourite books and channelling his inner Hemingway as a writer!
@Luke Hannon@ Hannon Recruits
“As
confused a hiring manager into hiring them. So keep it simple and clear, and the interview requests will roll in.”TALENT ACQUISITION PROFESSIONAL LUKE HANNON SHARES RELEVANT TIPS AND HINTS IN YOUR CAREER SEARCH. PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH TEXT LUKE HANNON
HHOW TO BE resentful of a whole country? Well, goodness me, if I could only tell you. But one thing I know for sure is that our brains will do very tricky things to avoid embracing reality, and my brain was especially sophisticated.
The earnest Danes I knew at the time (bless them) addressed my resentment in one of three ways:
#1 Tried to reassure me by telling me the story of the time a guy ran for parliament promising that, if he were elected, he would ensure we would only ever have a tail-wind during our bike commutes ever again (which was funny and so very Danish but not really helpful), or
#2 Quoted Alfred Wainwright and insisted that there was no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing (again, a painfully pragmatic and mostly accurate statement, but not really helpful — see the point about where to find adequate rain gear in my November article), or
#3 Told me that the problem was not Denmark or Danes but rather my expectations. They were simply too high.
Even though these responses were always well-intended, and it was absolutely true that my expectations were way too high (I mean, I moved to Scandinavia, not Morocco), I needed compassion at the time.
Something like “Gosh, it must be tough to move your entire life to a new country, not having any idea what to expect from one day to another, all the while navigating in an obscure foreign language even the locals don’t understand. So I get why something as insignificant as constantly contending with wind and rain might feel overwhelming for you.”
If someone had said that to me, I surely would’ve melted into a bucket of tears. Because underneath my lofty expectations and stubborn attachments to wanting to be in control was the reality that I had just done something really vulnerable.
I left my home — and everything familiar to me — in pursuit of a better life elsewhere
In the personal growth world we have this expression: the thing is rarely the thing. What it means is, the thing we perceive as “the problem” is rarely what the real issue is, but focusing on it as though it is definitely prevents us from feeling satisfied, and from seeing what the real thing is.
This is the part where I tell you it wasn’t about the wind or the rain. Instead, it was about the incessant feeling of discomfort that is intrinsic in the experience of immigration and that it was amplified exponentially upon immigrating to a country with a global reputation for how comfortable and content everyone is.
Perhaps the biggest (unconscious) expectation I had when I got here was that if Danes were so happy (or even just content and secure like the fine print says), I would be, too.
I mean, hygge might as well be Denmark’s national mascot (right after The Laws of Jante, naturally).
Here’s how it can seem given these circumstances: everyone is comfortable except you, and everywhere you turn, your face is being rubbed in this fact. No amount of candles, cake, and cosy nights on the sofa can make immigration feel “hyggelig.” No amount of knowledge that you are living in a country which prides itself on social welfare and togetherness can compensate for the isolation of being an outsider with no evident community to lean on.
Have you ever had an experience where you really needed to feel consoled, but you had no idea how to achieve that, and neither did anyone else around you because society is not set up to address something presumed to be innate within it?
That was me for at least my first five years living in Denmark.
Life experiences like these have their way of revealing to you the things you never knew you needed precisely by them not getting met enough times that you start paying attention. And when you’ve just moved to a country where the cultural narrative is that all of your needs are met (isn’t that why we pay such high taxes?), the emotional/spiritual need to feel seen and heard precisely where you are without needing it to be any other way than it is (compassion, by my definition) feels…irrational and inaccessible.
And especially when you don’t know that you actually have this particular need, and the byproduct of not having the need met is a sort of emotional volatility that is totally foreign to your tough and well-put-together self-image, well, it’s very subtly crazy-making.
I could only pinpoint a general sense of internalised suspension or dis-ease. Like I couldn’t quite exhale all the way I was outside my comfort zone, trying to act “normal” and flailing. THE-INTL
American Antesa lives in Copenhagen. In her professional capacity, she works as a coach and teacher with individuals and companies and facilitates the deconstruction, demystification, and disarming of the emotional landscape. As a writer and speaker, Antesa's demonstrable depth in communication mastery pierces through complexity to get straight to the heart of things. Her book, Caught Shining — a memoir in prose, a user's guide for how to live fully in experience — will be published in 2023.
OOFTEN, OUR WORKOUT schedule takes the hit, which seems entirely reasonable! However, after many years of complaining about how I felt during and the day after festivities - December now tends to be the time of year when I exercise the most consistently. Here are some of the reasons why:
Sports activities have become an essential part of my self-care routine during the winter months when looking after my mental health feels more crucial than ever.
Whether taking brisk walks or lifting weights, my winter routine makes me feel at my fittest and most confident just before Christmas, so training feels more enjoyable (and easier) than usual. As a result, I find myself more motivated to power through a gym class and chase fitness goals at the end of the year, as opposed to the start of the year when new year’s resolutions are in the spotlight.
I love the buzz of the festive period, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to have your routine wholly taken over by a hectic social calendar. Keeping my regular workout appointments helps me ward off social burnout at Christmas, as it secures some “me-time” and a regular routine that helps me find balance.
December calls not only for Santa and his reindeer but for colds and coughs too. So besides trying to stay on top of my vitamins and healthy eating between the festive meals, I like to keep up my fitness to ensure I can ward off attacking germs!
Physical activity and the rise in body temperature may make your antibodies and white blood cells circulate more rapidly around the body - all of which can help your body fight infections better.
Now I know that most of you know all of the above and probably have experienced the benefits of exercise and absolutely would like to adhere to this lifestyle, but the fact is, it’s not that easy to find the energy to apply it to your day to day, especially during the Gløgg & Æbleskiver period… but maybe these few tips can help with giving you a push.
When exercising alone, you are the only person you need to convince to skip a session. But by exercising with a partner or group, some additional accountability can be met. Plus, exercise buddies can provide camaraderie and distraction from gloomy weather.
The physical benefits of working out are a game of patience and consistency - the mental health benefits, on the other hand, happen almost immediately. As a result,
you’ll feel better, less stressed and more relaxed, which may be especially important during the hectic holiday season and when many suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
For outdoor workouts, for example, check the weather forecast and be wary about what you’ll be up against the next day, whether wind, rain, snow or a cold blast. Plan suitable clothing by investing in some winter workout clothes and have everything ready for your exercise appointment: shoes, layers, gym bag and water.
Brownie points for showing up at the gym… extra points for knowing exactly what you are going to do, and following a plan! This will optimise your time at the centre and make you feel like your workout is under control. Perhaps you are already familiar with the equipment at your gym and how to use it, but if you are not, ask the staff or get a trainer who can support you in making a comprehensive and adapted programme for you. Enjoy every moment you get to movethis is the best feeling you can get! THE-INTL
Alex is a Swiss/Brit mom and wife who has lived in Copenhagen since 2009. She switched from corporate life in communications to the independent life of an outdoor personal and group fitness trainer. She coaches people of all ages and fitness levels to find fun and consistency in movement through individual and group workouts. Delivering entertainment and spreading group fitness magic is her superpower. Alex encourages you to high-five her if you see her in the capital!
@alexbeck.fit
@alexbeck.fit
@alexbeck.fit
ONE OF THE STATEMENTS I OFTEN HEAR FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS WHERE ARE THE DANES DURING WINTER?
OF COURSE, THE SHORT ANSWER IS INDOORS, BUT WE ARE NOT ALONE. DANES ENJOY SOCIALISING INDOORS AND PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS DURING THE WINTER.
WWHETHER GETTING TOGETHER involves playing indoor sports, going to the cinema, or meeting friends at home for "hygge" (social cosiness), we Danes always find ways to socialise, even in the coldest weather.
In the winter, many indoor activities in Denmark are centred around associations. When Danes are not spending time at home with their families or friends, they often participate in association activities, including sports and volunteering.
In Aalborg, there are sports arenas for indoor football, handball, badminton, gymnastics, indoor swimming pools and many other sports, which are used frequently by different associations. Gigantium, as an example, is a great sports arena and cultural institution, which associations and organisations frequently use for sports, concerts, fairs, or events.
But associations are not only about sport and music but also social work, politics and much more. It is just as much about the feeling of community and being a part of civil society. In fact, every third adult Dane has volunteered in the last three months to work for a sports association, social work, cultural association, or other areas of the diverse Danish association life. In that way, association life and volunteering are a pillar of Danish culture, not only by providing a social network and creates social cohesion and opportunities for fun and exciting activities when it's cold outside.
It is not only the Danes who participate in associations. International organisations are also doing a wide variety of activities. For example, in Aalborg, we have a house for international organisations in Interna-
tional House North Denmark, where we host around 28 organisations. The organisations in the house organise and run social, career, and cultural events, and much more. So if you're reading this article and live in North Denmark, please get in touch with us to find your organisation. In addition, we host a big welcome event called Internationals' fair North Denmark every year, where some of the organisations are present, and you can meet them there.
The winter period can be long and dark in Denmark, and the joy of spring and summer can seem very far away. But luckily, December means Christmas, and Christmas means hygge. Danish Christmas hygge is practised at home with the family and is a huge part of Danish institutions and associations. In Budolfi church in the centre of Aalborg, you can experience and enjoy Christmas hygge at the Nine Lessons and Carols event for free for all in-
ternational citizens. Music, songs, lights, and readings related to Christmas will be combined into one magical evening. Afterwards, there will be free snacks, soft drinks and "æbleskiver" at the student house, next to Budolfi church.
Of course, not all activities and socialising are indoors in Denmark during Christmas and the winter period. However, the winter weather does provide opportunities for outdoor activities. Almost every city or area has its own ice-skating field, and Aalborg is no exception. Ice skating in the centre of Aalborg is very popular when the square "CW Obels plads" is made into an ice-skating field. At Christmas time, the city sets up a Christmas market in the centre of Aalborg, where you can enjoy Christmas in all its form and shapes. From Christmas trees and huts to trying Danish treats like burned almonds, waffles, æbleskiver and gløgg. So there are a lot of opportunities to meet new friends and find out that even though it is cold outside, our hearts are warm in Denmark. THE-INTL
Team Manager at International House North Denmark.
City Council member in Aalborg Municipality. Group chairman for the Social Democratic Party in Aalborg. Chairman of DANVA and Port of Aalborg.
Father of three kids and married to Kirstine. Worked and lived in Africa as an expat. Takes an active part as a volunteer for the international community. Believes in international solidarity and wants the international community in Aalborg to be more aware of their rights.
lassefj.dk
lassefj.dk
IIN DENMARK, MANY (at least the young people) start celebrating the Christmas season at the beginning of November. Of course, that is early, and the main reason is J-Day. So many look forward to this day as this special Christmas beer from Tuborg is released and served for free in approximately 400 pubs countrywide. This usually happens on the first Friday of every November at 23:59 sharp. Celebrated with much festivity in the streets and many hangovers the day after.
IT'S MORE THAN JUST ABOUT J-DAY After the hangover has subsided, more social Christmas activities begin. Perhaps not as many pre-Covid-19. Some might also be cancelled or reduced due to the current financial situation. Even so, many organisations still arrange Christmas activities for socialising and team-building purposes.
One is the yearly Julefrokost (Christmas lunch), which has been very popular in many different versions. One is that all employees and their partners are invited to dinner, followed by dancing and a lot of fun. Food is the traditional Julebuffet (Christmas buffet) with all the traditional Christmas specialities. Here many newcomers can find it challenging as the food is very Danish and unknown to many internationals. For example, one dish is herrings accompanied by Danish Snaps. This is a big challenge to newcomers, both because of the taste and strength of the alcohol. Many Danes battle with this for the same reason – so you're not alone!
Unfortunately, some newcomers, often employees from the Asian culture, don't enjoy some Danish traditions and can be hesitant to try new foods. A great tip is for Danes to invite their new international colleagues to be part of the foodie experience. For example, helping to prepare a meal together, so they can learn new food
traditions and share their own. Exposure to various foods is a great learning experience for all.
The Danes love a good joke and take every opportunity to joke with each other. This is, of course, done in a friendly way and even more so during Christmas.
One tradition is the Drillenisser (Secret Pixies) game. By the end of November, all colleagues put their names into a bowl or hat. Then, each colleague gets a turn by rolling a dice; when a six is thrown, they draw a name - this carries on until all names are drawn. But, be warned - as no one can know who your drillenisser is, this has to be kept a secret until later.
Now the fun begins. From the beginning of December, all drillenisser are allowed to play a daily prank on their secret pixie.
As inspiration, here are some ideas:
#1 Put tape under a wireless mouse.
#2 Empty your drillenisser's desk drawer and tape items on the wall as new decorations.
#3 Decorate your pixie's bike or car with streamers.
#4 Add food colouring to the milk.
On the last working day or at the Julefrokost, everyone has to guess who their Secret Pixie is - and if they guess correctly, they receive a small prize.
There are many, but in general, offices are generally well decorated. The usual tinsel, Christmas flowers, hanging ornaments, and last but not least artificial candles. Candles are ubiquitous and often in meeting rooms and receptions.
Some companies also arrange a family day. The intention is to invite employees with their partners and children so
they can see the employee's workplace and meet colleagues much more informally. Partners get a chance to chat with others and share experiences about living in Denmark. The children can make Christmas cards and decorations. During the day, the canteen will serve glögg (a Scandinavian Christmas punch, with or without alcohol) and æbleskiver (a Danish pancake pastry, which is served all through December in Denmark).
Many companies with international employees encourage them to share their Christmas traditions so Danes can learn how they celebrate Christmas. For example, most countries celebrate the 24th of December as Christmas eve and the 25th as Christmas day. However, Denmark (and other Scandi countries) celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December. Many families with two cultures celebrate both days in their own unique way to honour both cultures.
However you choose to spend your Christmas, may it be relaxing, fun and enjoyable. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! THE-INTL
Jane is a local and grew up in Denmark, apart from a few long-term stays abroad, whilst travelling extensively. For the last 10 years, her business has supported relocating internationals to Denmark and helping businesses onboard their employees. She loves a challenge and feels there are many different expectations of moving to Denmark, depending on who you are and where you come from.
kulturdetektiven.dk linkedin
QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH, THE HUMBLE TRIFLE IS THE PERFECT WAY TO END FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS. PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO / UNSPLASH
MAKES 1 X 2.8L/3L TRIFLE BOWL
INGREDIENTS:
500g jelly (cranberry/raspberry flavour) 250g sponge cake, e.g. Pound cake/ Madeira cake/Swiss roll 200g raspberries
200g strawberries
60g freshly squeezed orange juice 85g orange liqueur e.g. Cointreau/ Grand Marnier
20g castor/fine sugar
FOR THE CUSTARD INGREDIENTS:
500g full-fat milk 200g cream
5g vanilla 7 extra-large egg yolks 65g castor/fine sugar 30g corn flour
FOR DECORATING: 300g cream 15g castor/fine sugar chocolate shavings 30g almond flakes, toasted raspberries mint gold dust
1. Prepare jelly as per packet directions. Alternatively, make your own with 500ml sweetened cranberry/raspberry juice and 6g gelatine powder (230 bloom) hydrated in 50g cold water. Heat the juice, add the bloomed gelatine and mix well until fully dissolved. Do not boil the juice/gelatine, as it will damage the gelatine’s thickening properties. Refrigerate in a trifle bowl until set.
2. Prepare the custard by heating the milk, cream and vanilla until simmering. Next, whisk together the egg yolks, castor sugar and corn flour. While whisking, slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture until combined. Return the mixture to medium-low heat, stirring continuously until a thick custard forms and coats the back of a spoon, approximately 15 minutes. Pour the custard through a sieve into a bowl, contact cover with cling film and leave to cool at room temperature in an ice bath.
3. Next, you can layer the trifle by cutting the cake into cubes, approximately 3cm x 3cm, and placing it on top of the set jelly.
4. Cut the strawberries similar in size to the raspberries and place them in a bowl with the orange juice, liqueur and sugar. Mix and macerate for 15 minutes before spooning on top of the cake.
5. Spoon the cooled custard over the macerated fruit. You can contact cover the custard and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight at this stage.
6. Before serving, whisk the cream and sugar until firm peaks form.
7. Spoon the cream over the custard and decorate with chocolate shavings, almond flakes, raspberries, mint and gold dust. Serve immediately.
Natasha is a recently qualified pastry chef who is South African by birth and Croatian by blood. She spent many years working for a wellness publication but did an about-turn at the beginning of 2020 when she joined a culinary school to fulfil a lifelong dream to study patisserie. She’s passionate about European patisserie and loves spending time in the kitchen experimenting with recipes (while quibbling with her feline friends), and is always on the hunt for interesting new cookbooks. natashaliviero
The simplicity of the minimal black dress is fashionably timeless. The tricky part of selecting a simple black dress is choosing the correct shade and silhouette to compliment your frame. I know you're thinking, 'how many shades can black come in?!'...The short answer is several. Depending on if you want a deeper 'ebony or jet' black versus an ashier tint of 'charcoal or black-grey'... it's entirely up to you. Choosing the best style silhouette always boils down to the basic trial and error approach. I have discovered that the 'babydoll' dress suits my physique better…versus a wrap or bodycon dress.
Above, we spoke on how 'less is always more'...however, in an alternate reality… more is always BETTER! Please excuse the contrasting mantras, but keep in mind the goal is to find out if the perfect little black dress exists. If you are a returning subscriber (insert jazz hands), you already know my infatuation with all things exaggerated. This holiday season, the embellished little black dress is a must-see. Be the focal point at any holiday office party with a sequined, feathered, embroidered, or tulle lace black dress. I can safely say if I wear a black dress… it would have to be of the embellished flavour.
This dress shape seems to be gaining more and more popularity and traction. The Blazer Dress is the perfect mix of both masculine and feminine energies. The structure of the silhouette itself allows the dress to be the proper answer for any moment. Whilst doing research for this piece…I couldn't find a blazer dress that didn't suit various body types. To see the full ensemble potential of the little black 'blazer dress, pairing it with balanced accessories and shoes is vital.
I am not the only one who may not choose a dress as their holiday avatar. Especially when the weather is hitting lower temperatures. This may be an unpopular opinion, but… "wear the pants suit"! Co-ords (coordinates/matching pieces) hold as much fashion weight as the little black dress. Nothing makes me feel more like myself than an oversized monochrome pantsuit. Along with the trousers, you can easily replicate little black dress vibes with a matching skirt set The plus side is that, after the dancing has settled…you and your pantsuit will be prepared for any weather.
As you know, I wrote this article with the full intention of widening the scope of the little black dress and its variations. I hope the automatic mental image of Audrey Hepburn's iconic black dress has been skewed..just a tad. In conclusion, there isn't a blueprint for the perfect dress…everything is relative to one's own personal style. So to answer, "Does the perfect little black dress exist?"... The answer is 'yes'...in several different designs. See yall next year. THE-INTL
PETERSEN JEWELRY DESIGNEROWNER OF STYLEFREED
Dubbed the 'Jill Of All Trades', Vanessa hails from the sunshine state of Florida. After visiting Copenhagen several times as a former International Flight Attendant, she permanently settled in Denmark in 2017 with her husband. Currently, Vanessa is the owner of the hand-crafted jewellery brand, the Style Freed. She creates personalised jewellery centred around healing crystals worldwide. Being a creative "mompreneur' has also allowed Vanessa to focus on her son's developmental journey with autism
IIF THERE'S ONE thing that Danes do really well, it's Christmas. With ample food, drink and hygge to light up the dark northern winter, Scandinavian Christmas traditions are also widely embraced by internationals. So, where do these traditions come from, and how far do they go back? How Danish is a Danish Christmas, and how much of it comes from international influence?
In days gone by, the Christmas Goat was more than the straw ornament we see today. Sometimes said to signify Thor, the Norse God who had goats to pull his chariot, the julebuk in earlier ages was a man or men who dressed up as goats and terrorised the local countryside with pranks. Some say this still happens in the countryside, but I'm glad I've not witnessed it so far! I can only imagine how dreadful seeing a man-sized goat coming out of the winter darkness would have been. The straw julebuk ornament we know is not actually Danish but from neighbouring Sweden. After the Second World War, when neutral Sweden had a better economy than Denmark, where they were recovering from occupation, Danes would visit Sweden to do their Christmas shopping and bring straw Christmas Goats home with them!
ST LUCIA
Known as a Swedish tradition but now widely embraced throughout Northern Europe, St Lucia Day on 13th December, in many respects, kicks off Christmas in Scandinavia. The celebration involves a procession, with saffron buns, songs and girls chosen to represent St Lucia, dressed in white. So far, so simple? I was shocked last year to read that, similar to the CocaCola red Saint Nick, St Lucia as we know it today was dreamed up by a 1920s Swedish advertisement campaign! Although the
saint is accurate, the Scandinavian tradition does not go nearly as far back as one would typically expect from a religious festival. But the more Christmas festivals, the merrier!
Many of the Christmas traditions we have all over the world today originally stem from Germany. The first Christmas trees in Denmark were put up in homes by Germans living here, reportedly causing great bemusement and excitement among the local Danes back in the early 19th century, who then spread the tradition. After 1864, however, when Denmark was at war with Germany, all things of German origin dipped in popularity. Danification of the popular German Christmas was needed, and this is believed to be where the link between the gårdnisse of Scandinavian folk traditions and the modern julenisse we know and love came from.
Risalamande is the most famous Danish Christmas import among my British family. My mum raves about it and gets coached on pronunciation every time winter rolls around. Initially, risengrød, or rice pudding, was considered fancy enough as a Christmas treat, as rice was an expen-
sive foreign import. Over time, however, the upper classes wanted to make their risengrød special, which is how risalamande was born. It is a truly delicious dessert with almonds, cherry sauce, and whipped cream. Trying to sound classy and French, the name was based on the French words riz à l'amande, rice with almonds. French Epiphany traditions were also imported for the new Danish dish, with the person to find the single whole almond in the risalamande getting a gift. I admit, I usually forget to buy the traditional marzipan pig gift and have to scramble to find something I want to re-gift lying around!
Whether found by looking back to folk stories, made up by someone in marketing, or imported from or inspired by foreign countries, Danish Christmas traditions have mixed together to make an exceptional, hyggelig season, helping the country grapple with winter darkness. Maybe a tradition from your home country will be glimpsed by a passing Dane, as Christmas trees were, and become a part of the future of Danish Christmas? THE-INTL
Heather Storgaard comes from Northern Scotland, grew up in Switzerland, and lived in England and Germany. She met her Danish and soon-tobe British husband back in 2017, and they now split their time between Central Scotland and Helgenæs, a peninsula in rural Eastern Jutland. Languages and cultural studies are a big passion, leading Heather to pursue a degree in Culture and Heritage and a career in photography and translation.
@heatherstorgaardIIT CAN BE a shock if you have never experienced New Year's Eve in Denmark. The usual calm and sensible Danes morph into risk-takers, unlike the people you meet daily! In the UK, like in many countries, people gather at specific historic points like Trafalgar Square in London. First, there's a big countdown, and then everyone hugs, kisses, or wishes each other a 'Happy New Year'.
In Denmark, the Danish Queen, Margrethe II (now the only Queen left!), gives a speech on TV at 18:00, and the fireworks start afterwards. Like in many countries, friends and family gather to celebrate together. However, it's the fireworks which set Denmark apart. Fireworks are commonplace and are sold everywhere. Plastic glasses are sold, too, and my big tip is to buy a set for everyone! The press reports injuries every year, so you must take this seriously.
It's the way the fireworks are used which is surprising. Where we lived in Hellerup, people would buy a box of fireworks (one firework in each compartment), place the box in the street, often next to expensive cars, and set it alight! Of course, the streets are wide in Denmark, but the enclosed space makes it interesting. It is fun and exciting but somewhat dangerous as fireworks can fly towards you anytime.
The best places to gather in Copenhagen are City Hall Square, Dronning Louise's Bro (Queen Louise's Bridge) and The Copenhagen Lakes. I would like to add my own tip to this. The beaches where you can see Sweden are good too. The Swedes have a different timetable during NewYears' evening, so if you are near the beach, you can see their displays too!
In Denmark, like in most countries, New Year's Day is a public holiday, so everything closes. However, we always found that shops like Fakta and Irma were open, so there is no need to fret if you get stuck without food – check the websites to see who is open. New Year is always a good time to reflect and plan for the year if you're not too hung over. Although 2022 has been unexpectantly challenging, it feels like 2023 may be equally so. The best thing we can all do is look to the future with confidence and hope things improve.
January, February, and March can be tough months in Denmark, so plan ahead for lots of social gatherings, bakes cakes and stay warm. Make full use of the bike lanes to exercise and see parts of the city you've not seen before. We always enjoyed cycling to a new bakery, and My Donut was good too. If you have kids and haven't signed up to Børn i byen, then do that soon. You get an email every Thursday with lots of things to do. THE-INTL
Looking for a night where you can experience the joy of the multinational universe in Denmark? There are plenty of events around Denmark where you can purchase a ticket that usually covers drinks, delicious food and fabulous musical entertainment. So, choose your best party dress and purchase those tickets now!
If going out is not on the cards, create your own "party" at home. Whether it's an actual party or a quiet night spent on the sofa, don't miss "90 års Fødselsdag" or "Dinner for one" as we know it in English. A firm favourite with a lot of Danes and internationals.
"WHERE WE LIVED IN HELLERUP, PEOPLE WOULD BUY A BOX OF FIREWORKS (ONE FIREWORK IN EACH COMPARTMENT), PLACE THE BOX IN THE STREET, OFTEN NEXT TO EXPENSIVE CARS, AND SET IT ALIGHT!"WRITER SHANI BISHOP OFFERS HER TIPS AND HINTS FOR THE NEW YEAR.
PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN
TTHE NOSTALGIA OF December never leaves us. The month has a magical quality which is hard to ignore. Is it the festive lights, the beautiful and artistic decoration or the delicious aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and citrus fruits that capture our senses? Whichever aspect it is, the enchantment is relived each year. This is especially true for children, who are wrapped up in the month's excitement.
Within the classroom, the month begins with a winter hygge day or 'klippe-klistre' in Danish, which involves the decoration of the classroom. An entire day or an afternoon is used to make snowmen or Father Christmas portraits, hang stars or Christmas stockings from the ceiling, design glittery paper chains, and more. But, of course, all this enjoyment needs treats like ginger biscuits or German Lebkuchen, little chocolate-covered, soft cinnamon cookies. The classroom's transformation sets the spirit for the month.
Every discerning parent has either purchased or made an Advent calendar. But what about the classroom? Often, the class parents have each bought a small giftthese little packages are numbered and form the Advent calendar for the class. The students' names are placed in a jar, and a paper with a name is selected each morning. The atmosphere is electric, with the anticipation of the name picked and the contents of the package.
6 December marks Saint Nicholas Day, who is said to be the original Santa Claus. A tradition that children love is to leave their shoes out on the 5 December and find them the following morning filled with small gifts, candies, and stickers. Again, it is the coming together of the class community. Parents, in partnership with the school, allow such beautiful acts of kindness to take place for the enrichment of all the members of the class. This spirit reflects the values of the saint who sought to spread kindness.
A Scandinavian tradition frequently celebrated within an international community is St. Lucia, who was known for her kindness in distributing food to Christians. Sadly, she was killed for her service to others but is remembered as a martyr. On 13 December, the Santa Lucia festival celebrates bringing light in the darkest times.
At school, the day begins with a procession with a St. Lucia, usually the oldest Swedish or Scandinavian girl, followed by young girls all dressed in white and wearing lighted wreaths on their heads. The boys are dressed in white pyjama-like costumes. They sing the traditional St. Lucia song as they parade along corridors. It is a beautiful event with a mystical quality.
Christmas carols and singalongs are also an integral part of the festive tradition. Music lessons focus on teaching children a few essential songs. These are practised in a dedicated fashion, and the highlight is an afternoon performance for proud parents.
The Jewish celebration, Hanukkah, observes the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend, Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors. Celebrations take place for eight days, where candles
are lit, families gather to enjoy special food, and gifts are exchanged.
As with many festive school events, it is a gathering where delicious food is shared, a dialogue and appreciation of culture is experienced, and a broadening of minds can take place.
The festive season is an incredible time and particularly pertinent in these troubled times, as it reminds us to reach out to help others and to share for the betterment of others' lives. It is a time for giving, a time for families and friends, and embracing those with fewer connections and shining light in their lives. Sharing these lessons with children at a young age paves the way for showing them how to be wholesome, generous people and good citizens of the world. THE-INTL
"A Scandinavian tradition frequently celebrated within an international community is St. Lucia, who was known for her kindness in distributing food to Christians."
Monika comes from the London area of the UK, where she worked in the state system and the international school system, as an English teacher of 11-18 students and then a section leader. She has also worked in Germany and now in Denmark. She has an overview of the British, International, and American educational systems and is currently learning about the Danish system. She has been in education for 32 years and continues to enjoy the profession. She has relocated to Copenhagen as she is married to a Dane. She enjoys jogging, waterside walks, and cooking.
@monikapedersen
@monikapedersen
@monikapedersen
FFOR MANY YOUNG people with special needs, having a student job is impossible due to a physical or mental disability. Therefore, students with special needs can apply for a disability allowance as a supplement to SU.
According to Uddannelses - og Forskningsstyrelsen, the first prerequisite for meeting the requirements for a disability allowance is qualifying for SU. This means you must be enrolled and an active student of a study programme recognised by the SU office. In addition, you must be at least 18 years old, a Danish citizen or granted equal status, apply for SU, and your income must be below a predetermined limit set to qualify for SU. Furthermore, you must not receive any other types of public support, benefits, or similar.
To qualify for a disability allowance, you need to have a medically-documented diagnosis of a permanent mental or physical disability that prevents you from working.
To get a disability allowance, the amount of money you are allowed to earn is also reduced. As with many other types of disability benefits that one may qualify for in theory, application processes are often lengthy and associated with considerable bureaucracy. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that a person with a disability with have their application approved, even if they meet the necessary requirements.
You can apply for the disability allowance online on the su.dk website, but only after applying and qualifying for SU. When applying for the disability allowance, it is necessary to describe and document your mental or physical disability in detail, as a higher level of detail can help to speed up the assessment process. This means uploading medical documentation, statements from doctors, medical opinions, or documentation about past sick leave. Documentation should include information about the diagnosis, the symptoms of the disability or illness, how they affect the ability to work, and the treatment received or scheduled.
After you apply, your claim for disability allowance is assessed by Uddannelses- og Forskningsstyrelsen (or Danish Agency for Education and Research). The starting point is the assessment of your medical documentation.
The focus is on the following:
Duration of your disability - the mental or physical disability in question must be permanent and will not likely improve with treatment over time. However, in case
MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ comes from Slovakia and moved to Denmark 3 years ago to study for her Master's degree. She says living in Odense is the perfect city for her because it's not too large to be intimidating, but still exciting! She works at Umbraco as a Magical Copy Whisperer and started a podcast with her friends - @humans.of.sdu. She loves watching and talking about movies, Harry Potter, karaoke nights (even though she can't sing to save her life), and pub quizzes (winning them, to be specific).
of an accident and following treatment where the outcome is unclear, the agency can grant a time-limited right to disability allowance.
The severity of your disability has to be to such a degree that you can work only in a minimal capacity. The agency also considers the duration and frequency of your illness.
Whether you have tried all types or options for treatment.
The Danish Agency for Education and Research states you can expect an answer to your application approximately four months after you have sent it in, even though additional information may need to be supplemented. It is, however, not unusual for the assessment process to take considerably longer than the stated four months.
If you qualify for the allowance, it will be paid out along with your SU. The 2023 rate for the disability allowance before tax is as follows:
For higher education, it was 9,372 DKK per month.
For vocational training, it was 5,878 DKK per month.
If you receive a rejection, you can appeal the decision directly to the Danish Agency for Education and Research, for example, with new medical information or documentation. Unfortunately, there is no higher authority to which you can file a complaint other than directly back to the Agency for Education and Research. THE-INTL
SARA R. NEWELL is from Canada, went to high-school in Costa Rica, and has worked and studied in Iceland and Denmark. She is a disability rights activist and has a master's degree in Technological Business Development and Biomedical Engineering from Aarhus University. Sara has lived in Denmark since 2003, and lives with her husband and daughter. She hopes to contribute and share insights with others who have children with disabilities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sararose-newell-b1904726 / https://m.facebook.com/groups/bakopomdepaarorende
TTHE GREATER COPENHAGEN Career Programme recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, which has been an excellent success for Denmark!
The GCCP is for international students living in Greater Copenhagen and aims to retain talented students. University students join a series of networking/jobseeking seminars and are matched with a career mentor in the Danish Industry. Mentors share their network while supporting mentees with job search strategies and understanding Danish work culture.
In 2022, Denmark was ranked number three in the Insead Global Talent Competitiveness Index, measuring how countries and cities grow, attract, and retain talent.
Heading into the holiday season, there is much to be thankful for. Here are some words of gratitude from the mentors and mentees.
“I said yes to being a mentor for the GCCP because I wanted to give back. Being an international student in Denmark has proven helpful in guiding the three mentees I have had so far. Providing support with job search and personal branding is just as important as moral support, and I try to focus on that. Knowing that everything is possible will always lift you up!
My last mentee was a Lighting Designer, a field I had to learn about. I got to know his industry and personally put some extra effort into guiding him properly. We worked on his CV and portfolio, LinkedIn optimisation, networking strategies, personality assessment, and interview roleplay, and I shared a bit about my work, so that he could gain another perspective. Above all that, Luca was a diligent, invested mentee and incredibly kind. You could tell that he was talented from the get-go. No wonder he landed the job of his dreams. All my mentees have all taught me something in return. From knowing your worth to being resilient and the importance of being analytical, each of them was able to bring perspectives that I can also, in turn, use to guide my future mentees. We will also keep in touch, even after the collaboration period. It comes naturally, and it’s always exciting to hear about their professional
learnings. – Marina Surdhu, Senior Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding Specialist, IO Interactive A/S.
“I joined the GCCP as a mentee while doing my master’s thesis because a friend of mine convinced me. I was not expecting to get much out of it, but I could not have been more wrong! The programme and my mentor, Inge-Lise Kühl, ended up being a real help in landing my first job. As a young international looking to start a career in Denmark, I discovered how difficult it could be. Not only are you trying to convince companies that the risk of hiring someone without experience is worth it, but you are facing the cultural and social barrier of being in a different country. Inge-Lise showed me that those barriers could be overcome with effort and optimism. We had great mentee-mentor chemistry from the beginning, and I always looked forward to our next call. She offered great help on how to face job applications, how to handle interviews, and how to engage recruiters by showing the most vital points of my profile.” – Javier Garcia, Regulatory Affairs Coordinator in Medical Devices for Phillips-Medisize.
“It just makes sense to support great talents with their first steps into the Dan-
- MARIANNE HEIDAM, SENIOR GLOBAL PRODUCT MANAGER, AMBU A/S
ish business environment. I am so fortunate to have been matched with three great GCCP mentees. All but one has secured a great job in Danish Med Tech companies, and I hope we can help our third mentee find a successful position. Last year I invited my mentees to my home for Christmas dinner (Julefrokost). Previously, they had never met and had nothing else in common other than me being their mentor. They were from China, Bangladesh, and Latvia – spanning all ages with different cultural, religious, and educational backgrounds. We shared our challenges, dreams and discovery of differences while growing up in contrasting environments. To continue this tradition, we will meet again in December to enjoy each other’s company.”Marianne Heidam, Senior Global Product Manager, Ambu A/S. THE-INTL
Skyler is originally from Canada, and after living in Switzerland for several years, she transitioned to Denmark with her husband and sonall proud Canadians. Skyler has worked in the education sector for three decades and found her true passion for supporting students with their educational journey. As the Founder of Bentley Hall Educational Consulting, she advises on career and university options globally. Skyler enjoys spending time with family, exploring new cultures, and embracing the hygge lifestyle in beautiful Denmark.
bentleyhall.ca instagram.com/skylerbent leyhall/ facebook.com/skyler.bent leyhall
"IT JUST MAKES SENSE TO SUPPORT GREAT TALENTS WITH THEIR FIRST STEPS INTO THE DANISH BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT. I AM SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN MATCHED WITH THREE GREAT GCCP MENTEES."
Christmas is here, and even though the lights are dimmer than usual, it is time to hygge big time. Read the books you missed this year - or go all in with these seasonal titles. Enjoy!
1935. Newlywed Georgie and her husband suddenly have to spend their first Christmas at his aunt’s house near Sandringham and the royal family. Here Georgie is to spy on Mrs Simpson for the Queen, but a couple of deaths intervene.
Sixteen short stories from Hans Christian Andersen to modernday authors will set the mood for your Christmas. There is folksy magic, snow-covered landscapes, trolls and sadness. This is a good all-round selection of seasonal Nordic.
BY SARAH MORGAN
Christy and Alix are besties, so when Christy asks Alix to take her four-year-old daughter to Lapland ahead of her parents, Alix is okay with that. However, their friend Zac is also coming along, and there is a history between them.
THE CHRISTMAS TREE
BY HEIDI SWAIN
Wynter’s Trees was the business and joy of Liza’s father, but since he died, Liza has wanted nothing to do with it. Now his partner wants to retire, and Liza needs to return and handle the transition to his son Ned.
Susan is a librarian at Roskilde Library, and in charge of the English section. She does English events all year; everything from expat dinners and pub quizzes, to karaoke nights and book talks.
Now that you (hopefully) will spend much time with your family, a wee escape might come in handy. When you tire of the other streaming services, at filmstriben.dk you can find many hours of good quality films, tv-series and documentaries for all ages. It is free; you just have to register at your local library.
IIF YOU WERE to put the topic of this article in a google search, you would find that it means returning to a past position or situation. You would also see that it means you go through a series of developments that lead back to the original source or the starting point. For me, this article screams full circle because of two main reasons. Firstly, I want to bring your attention to the first article I wrote for this magazine. Secondly, I would like to complete my 12-step self-development guide by sharing how it has helped me throughout the year and announcing that this will be my last article. I have decided to step back and make more time and space for myself by applying these learnings to my life.
I started writing for The International Denmark in December 2020. It has been two years of immense growth, learning and connection with the team and the readers. The first ever article I wrote was about winter depression, and I would like to bring your attention to it again. Life as an expat can be highly distracting and demanding. Therefore, I wish to remind you of my article on winter depression, where you can read more on how to deal with it.
At the beginning of this year, I set out on a unique project of researching self-development, and as I urged you all to apply it in your life, I also used it in mine.
#1 I am more compassionate with myself.
#2 I have made progress in identifying my patterns and asking for help.
#3 I have taken note of my core values and why they mean so much to me.
#4 I have built new habits and am working on some. For example, I read for at least 15 minutes before I sleep every night.
#5 I have worked on relationships that fulfil me and bring joy to my life.
#6 I am improving my emotional vocabulary and identifying my feelings. My biggest challenge is to distinguish boredom from sadness.
#7 I invest in my mental health by going to therapy and practising saying “No” shamelessly and unapologetically.
#8 I take good care of my body by moving my body every day. I enjoy yoga and taking long walks. I have also added using the stairs instead of elevators.
#9 I respect my body’s need to slow down and have taken up knitting.
#10 I celebrate my achievements with people I love and, sometimes, by myself. These celebrations come in different shapes, forms, and sizes. They can look like making food for my husband and enjoying it together or calling my family back home and sharing the joy virtually.
I urge you to reflect on your learnings throughout the year or something you might have found inspirational in my articles, and please share it with me. It brings immense pleasure to me to read messages, comments, and feedback from my readers. I love connecting with people, and you can reach out to me on LinkedIn or through my email. I will not be writing actively for the magazine for a while, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t reach out to me.
I look forward to staying connected with you all. I hope you continue growing, learning and being kind to yourself and others. THE-INTL
Aina is the founder and C.E.O. of R.A.I.N. (Recognise, Accept, Investigate, Nurture). This company helps universities and companies take care of the mental health of their colleagues and employees. Aina has completed her master’s in clinical psychology in Pakistan. She has lived in the U.S.A. for six months and has been in Denmark since 2019. Passionate about mental health and destigmatising mental health problems, she is working towards helping individuals and organisations be healthier, happier, and more productive. She accomplishes this by working with international clients via Skype, conducting workshops/webinars with various organisations, and researching and writing. In addition, she is a professional photographer who uses her pictures to reflect on her daily life and share them on her blog. A psychologist, writer, speaker, mental health advocate, photographer, explorer, volunteer, and wife, Aina is making her way through the world and narrating her life story.
https://www.linkedin.com/ in/ainamasood/
https://www.instagram. com/ayena_reflections/
"LIFE AS AN EXPAT CAN BE HIGHLY DISTRACTING AND DEMANDING."PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH TEXT AINA MASOOD
IIT’S THE SEASON to be jolly again. Family gatherings, julefrokost, parties…a lot going on. Sounds stressful? I can relate. While it’s beautiful for everyone to come together and honour all the traditions, getting too much in a short time can be stressful. Over the years, observing how my friends and family managed this festive season has made me realise it’s all about enjoying a good time with people you love. So here are my Christmas-friendly stress-less suggestions:
Hosting a julefrokost, dinner or party is a very stressful situation. You want your guests to feel amazing and perfect. But that’s the point - it’s not about how perfect the table setting is, how good the wine and food will be, but the experience of the time shared, making memories, catching up and having a good time. Focus more on the people instead of the venue or details. A simple dinner with a few games or the perfect playlist that satisfies all your 20 guests can be as cosy. It’s not a state banquet; it’s just a lovely get-together with people you enjoy spending time with.
#2
If the host and guests can all share the preparation of the gathering, it can help share the load and gives everyone a sense of anticipation as the event approaches. Everyone will be contributing a little bit to this gathering, and it’s less likely for people to cancel last minute too. So killing two birds with one stone.
#3
It is lovely to receive invitations to all these dinner parties, but it is okay to say no if you don’t feel like it. Don’t be afraid to
be selective and set healthy boundaries. It can be very draining emotionally and physically. Also, it could be expensive to attend all the events you’ve been invited to. That is unless you genuinely want to show up to all and see all those people; that’s totally fine too. But for many, it is more the social pressure of accepting an invitation because it’s from your boss, newly met social circle, neighbours etc. It is absolutely okay to set boundaries, from saying no to alcohol to how many events you will attend and a budget for presents. Do whatever feels right to you, which will take a lot of stress off your shoulders.
The festive season is all about enjoying oneself and your company. Yes, it is magical. It is Christmas, probably the one time of the year when you get to spend time with your relatives and family members. That is precisely the reason why we should all just enjoy and relax. Take the opportunity to find out what’s going on with your loved ones’ lives, update each other, and if you are not a big talker, just listen and nod with a smile. THE-INTL
OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT & JOURNALISTLike her hometown Hong Kong, Ophelia has a diverse background and upbringing. She moved to Copenhagen in 2019 after 10 years of living in London. Her fashion and journalism career began in 2007 at ELLE Hong Kong magazine, and later on as an online stylist at Net-A-Porter.com in the UK; she has worked with all sorts of creatives, brands and celebrities globally.
She now works on everything fashion and communicationrelated. With her love of travelling and places her work brought her to, people she met from all walks of life inspired her to start her own business
M for Minimal: a place to raise the awareness of going back to basics through conscious consumption and mindfulness with a touch of spirituality - something she has been practising since her teenage years.
@mforminimal.com
@mforminimal.mfm
@opheliawu
"IT IS LOVELY TO RECEIVE INVITATIONS TO ALL THESE DINNER PARTIES, BUT IT IS OKAY TO SAY NO IF YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT. DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE SELECTIVE AND SET HEALTHY BOUNDARIES. IT CAN BE VERY DRAINING EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY. ALSO, IT COULD BE EXPENSIVE TO ATTEND ALL THE EVENTS YOU’VE BEEN INVITED TO."PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH TEXT OPHELIA WU
CHRISTMAS MARKETS GAINED A SPECIAL ADVENT REPUTATION THROUGHOUT GERMANY SINCE THE LATE MIDDLE AGES IN THE GERMAN-SPEAKING PART OF EUROPE AND MANY PARTS OF THE FORMER HOLY ROMAN EMPIREINCLUDING MANY EASTERN REGIONS OF FRANCE AS A POPULAR ADVENT CUSTOM DURING THE REFORMATION ERA.
SSINCE THE MIDDLE AGES, towns in the German-speaking part of Europe have held Christmas Markets in their market squares, with the famous Dresden's Strietzelmarkt first held in 1434. There are over 2,500 of these Christmas markets in Germany alone, and Dresden still has the largest Christmas market in the world, with over 250 stalls.
The first Christmas market on record was held in Munich in 1310, as well as Bautzen in 1384 and Frankfurt in 1310. Danes love Christmas festivities and make sure that the period is appropriately celebrated from mid-November when daylight is approaching its shortest period. Around this time of the year, Christmas markets pop up in cities all over Denmark, and many Danes even decorate their gardens with Christmas lights.
Let me highlight some of the renowned Danish Christmas markets.
Egeskov Castle is on the island of Funen. It is one of the most impressive castles in Denmark and hosts a spectacular Christmas market every year in November over two to three weekends. It is approximately an hour's drive from Odense and has been there since 1554, surrounded by lakes and blossomed gardens. Most of the exhibitions and the castle are closed during winter, so the Christmas market occurs in the Veteran Museum and the Motorcycle Museum. However, guests can stroll around the decorated gardens, take a Segway ride or even try to find their way through the castle's maze.
Tivoli is Copenhagen's most famous amusement park, with flower gardens and water fountains. However, it looks like it belongs in a fairy tale during Halloween and Christmas. There are Christmas trees, thousands of colourful lights, music filling the air and approximately 60 stalls filled with food and items ideal for Christmas presents. The grounds host thousands of people who know there is no better place in Copenhagen to get into the Christmas spirit.
Within walking distance from the Main Station and with its own Metro Station, the Christmas market on Kongens Nytorv is in the heart of Copenhagen's City Centre – right in front of the historic Magasin Du Nord department store, Hotel D'Angleterre and the French Embassy. Wooden stalls are decorated with Christmas stockings and mistletoe, and you can smell the traditional
Take a trip back in time, visit the 'Old Town' museum in Aarhus and discover how Christmas was celebrated in Denmark from the 1600s to the 1970s. The open-air museum consists of 75 historic houses collected from all over Denmark, and during Christmas, they are decorated based on the period they resemble and the habits of that time. There are also plenty of activities for children and a crafts market filled with goodies.
Ærø is one of the most picturesque cities in Denmark, preserving an authentic and romantic atmosphere of the past. The small island in southern Denmark celebrates Christmas in its own oldfashioned way, with handmade decorations, warm mulled wine and several Christmas markets selling knitwear and other handicrafts. The largest and most known Christmas market on Ærø is in Ærøskøbing.
The small city of Odense also holds its own Christmas market to celebrate this particular time of the year. As the birth town of the globally-known and renowned fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen, its Christmas market encompasses Hans Christian Andersen's house and the adjacent museum stands are filled with lights, a carrousel, decorated Christmas cows and stalls filled with sweets and other edibles, while the smell of gløgg and æbleskiver (mulled wine and pancake balls) lingers in the air.
Christiania Christmas market takes place every year in the autonomous Freetown Christiania. Stalls with jewellery, clothes and handicraft items fill the 19th-century building while music bands play festive melodies. It is a relatively small market, but no one leaves empty-handed from this charming indoor experience.
During these shortest days of the year, the Danes literally and metaphorically turn the darkness of winter into an expression of light and joy - wrapped in the hope of Advent and the coming New Year. THE-INTL
Mariano has over 40 years global experience as a bus ness executive. He spent ten years with KPMG, so far thirty years with British Chambers of Commerce (while also running Oxford Business Services ApS). He is a British citizen, who grew up in Kent, went to boarding school in Sussex and has a British university education. He has been married to a Dane for over 45 years and has held over 150 official anti-Brexit speeches since 2016. He both speaks and writes Danish without difficulty.
oxford-business.com
